Girls soccer has 12 seniors
By Justin Feil, The Packet Group
If experience counts for much, the Robbinsville High School girls soccer team is in for a terrific year.
The Ravens will have 12 seniors on their roster this year, and nine of them are expected to start.
”I think we’ll have a lot of leadership on the field, which is a good thing,” said Robbinsville head coach Karen DeRossett. “A lot are strong players. Three are committed to Division I schools, and three or four others plan to play Division I or II.”
That group was important as juniors, and a major part of the team last year when they lost to Carteret, 3-1, in the Central Jersey Group II quarterfinals. The Ravens graduated just three seniors from that team that finished 10-6-1. DeRossett is hoping as seniors now, this group will have an extra push by the end of the season.
”Last year, we had three seniors and all these juniors,” she said. “The juniors were just as talented, but I don’t think there was the sense of urgency.”
She is hoping that their final year in high school is enough motivation to spur the Ravens back to a state championship. Robbinsville won Group I state titles in 2008 and 2009, when this year’s seniors were freshmen and sophomores.
”A lot of them have been on varsity since sophomore year,” DeRossett said. “They’ve been working together for years.”
Not all of them got to play major minutes on the state title teams, and it will be tough this year for the bench to get much time with such a standout senior class. Eight of this year’s senior starters started last season, plus their returning top scorer, Christine Levering, is back for her junior year. Finding time for the players behind them is DeRossett’s biggest challenge.
”Honestly the hardest part is we have a lot of talent,” she began. “The hardest thing is getting them in the game and keeping everyone happy.”
The midfield has seniors Kari Nickels and Morgan Michon, both of whom have been significant contributors for the Ravens, and are some of the top leaders for this year’s team.
”Our strength is definitely going to be in the midfield,” DeRossett said. “Our two central midfielders are strong, can distribute and move the ball. They add a nice threat for the opposing team.”
The remainder of the Robbinsville roster includes: seniors Lauren Budzinski, Reilly Sheehan, Erin Sutphen, Carly Setaro, Nicki Ann Francisco, Mollie O’Kane, Bridget McLaughlin, Melissa Lekulitch, Abby Coggins and Serena Rodriguez. Juniors are: Christine Levering, Courtney Levering, Allison Whitty and Hannah Binder. Leanna Gearhart is the lone sophomore on the varsity. They will be tested in another tough Colonial Valley Conference and Mercer County.
”I expect the usual with the West Windsors, Steinert and Hopewell, and Princeton also,” DeRossett said. “Hopewell is probably going to be the toughest. They’re always good, no matter what they graduate.”
And even though the Ravens didn’t win a state title last year, they have also established quite a reputation. They are still one of the smaller schools in the CVC, but they remain a powerhouse that is in everyone’s sights.
”For this group, I think having the bulls-eye on them will be good,” DeRossett said. “We need them to come out and give us their best game, so we can step up and play our best soccer. These girls definitely rise to the occasion when there’s a strong team.”
It’s one reason there was disappointment with the end of their state tournament run last year. Robbinsville didn’t have its best effort in a key game, and it cost them the chance at a state title. With a senior-strong team back with that memory, motivation won’t be difficult this season.
”Last year, we had pretty much the same group of girls and lost in a tough game in the pouring rain and we didn’t play well,” DeRossett said. “We did have a talented team. As seniors now, knowing it’s their last year, they want to take it the whole way.”